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Synonyms

amusement

American  
[uh-myooz-muhnt] / əˈmyuz mənt /

noun

  1. anything that amuses or entertains; pastime.

    The park offers authentic Danish charm and an array of amusements and thrill rides.
    Synonyms:
    game

  2. the act of amusing or entertaining; diversion.

    He invented indoor golf games for his own amusement, and for the amusement of his children.

  3. the state of being amused; enjoyment.

    Mom couldn't hide her amusement when my little sister tried to make dinner.
    Synonyms:
    delight
amusement British  
/ əˈmjuːzmənt /

noun

  1. something that amuses, such as a game or other pastime

  2. a mechanical device used for entertainment, as at a fair

  3. the act of amusing or the state or quality of being amused

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • self-amusement noun

Etymology

Origin of amusement

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Middle French; amuse, -ment

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

According to Tani, Trump’s buzzing iPhone has become a source of amusement at the White House.

From Slate • Mar. 18, 2026

Drive-in movie theaters catered to the growing suburban, car-driving population, fast-food chains like McDonald’s made eating out affordable for more families, and amusement parks proliferated after the opening of Disneyland in 1955.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 15, 2026

In Wednesday's filing the group said the hotel has been actively planning for other entertainment and amusement facilities.

From Barron's • Feb. 5, 2026

Walt Disney has named Josh D'Amaro, the head of its amusement park business, as its new chief executive.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

His head arched back and his hand thumped against his chest in amusement.

From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.